Client’s own words (COWs).
This is a powerful and effective way of personalising suitability reports. When you gather know your customer (KYC) information (see ‘K’ blog post) try to record some of the client requirements and objectives using their own words, so that you can repeat the quotes back to the client in the reports.
This provides the ultimate in personalisation and is a great way to cement recommendations.
If you can quote something like
“Both you and Beth want to use you maximum ISA allowance for the next 7 years (when you plan to retire Tom) for the purpose of supplementing your retirement income but also to buy that camper van you’ve always wanted and fulfil your dream of driving around Europe”.



Ensuring the fair treatment of customers in vulnerable circumstances
Richard Foster Compliance 2021, 2022, complaints, FCA, Pension, Pension Transfer, PI, TCF, transfer, vulnerable
With Consumer Duty requirements set to take effect in Q2 2023 and ahead of the final rules being published – expected in July 2022 – firms should consider the FCA’s findings in relation to how firms are dealing with vulnerable customers so far. In February 2021, the FCA published FG21/1 ‘Guidance for firms on […]